Chairperson,
The 2025/26 Human Settlements budget is tabled against the backdrop of persistent housing backlogs, deepening spatial inequality, and mounting pressure on urban infrastructure. While the Department has made some strides in delivery, particularly through the Human Settlements Development Grant, concerns remain about the pace, equity, and inclusivity of housing provision.
A critical area of concern is the Special Housing Needs Programme (SHNP). Despite the Special Housing Needs policy being approved in October 2022, no formal announcement has been made by the Minister in this regard, with the result that few, if any, welfare organisations are aware of this programme. It was specially developed to assist with the housing of vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, vulnerable children, elderly people and the homeless.
Those sounding the alarm where the state slumbers are frontline service providers. Upon enquiry, they say there are provincial departments of Social Development, Health and even Human Settlements that appear to be unaware of the Special Housing Needs Programme. This is unacceptable. It is now almost three years since this program was approved and they have not yet heard of a single SHN project that has been approved. Despite its policy framework being drafted as far back as 2015, it remains wallowing and unapproved at national level. This is such a shocking and unacceptable lack of political will to help our vulnerable people.
The ACDP has been championing the cause of the most vulnerable people for well over a decade. In all these years, the ACDP has seen the greatest impediment being the persistent lack of interdepartmental coordination between Human Settlements, Social Development and Health. This has left groups – such as people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, vulnerable children and elderly people and more – without a coherent, enforceable housing policy.
While the Special Housing Needs Grant (SHNG) has been introduced to support implementation, its impact is constrained by the absence of a formalised policy and clear delivery mechanisms. It is imperative that we achieve finalisation and adoption of the SHN policy; ring-fenced funding is needed for special needs housing and transparent reporting on service delivery to vulnerable groups.
The recently approved White Paper on Human Settlements (2024) offers a glimmer of hope. It explicitly prioritises vulnerable groups and calls for integrated, inclusive housing models – however, the budget and implementation plans remain uneven.
We must demand attention to these matters. The ACDP, therefore, cannot support this Budget Vote.
I thank you.
